Invited Session: Closing Dumpsites

The main objective of the study is to propose a methodology to estimate the potential carbon credit that could be obtained by Mediterranean countries to finance the placement of soil caps to close their dumpsites, through carbon offset credits that takes advantage of methane emission reduction associated with methane oxidation in soil caps. This study consisted of using a numerical model, which combines water balance with a gas transport and oxidation, to simulate methane emission and oxidation through simulated soil caps for dumps located in the Mediterranean Basin.

By attending this presentation, participants will better be able to understand how to use methane oxidation in soils as a way to fund closure of dumpsites.

Speaker:

Tarek Abichou, Professor, Florida State University, Florida

Tarek Abichou received his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Some of his research activities include primarily designing, analyzing and testing geotechnical components of landfills and other waste containment structures. Dr. Abichou has been involved in research investigating alternative ways to cover solid waste facilities for more than 18 years. This research consisted of field testing and computer modeling of the water and leachate balance in solid waste facilities. He is also known for his research investigating the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from landfills using bio-oxidation of methane using biocells, biocovers, and biofilters. Such research involved temporal and spatial characterization of methane emissions from landfills using static flux chambers, optical remote sensing and tracer techniques.